Richard Jefferson traded to Atlanta Hawks, but is expected to be waived

Jefferson’s time in Cleveland is over

Richard Jefferson’s time in Cleveland is over.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are finalizing a deal to send Jefferson and Kay Felder to the Atlanta Hawks, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

The Cavaliers are also sending the Hawks multiple second round picks and cash in the deal, which saves Cleveland roughly $12 million in luxury taxes.

The 37-year-old Jefferson will be released by the Hawks once the trade is official, allowing him to become a free agent once he clears waivers, Wojnarowski reports.

The former Arizona Wildcat is in the second year of three-year, $7.6 million contract, though the final year of it is non-guaranteed.

Assuming Jefferson clears waivers, it’s unclear where he’ll land, though several contending teams are expected to be interested.

Jefferson averaged 5.7 points per game in 20.4 minutes in 79 games with the Cavaliers last season.

The forward’s 3-point percentage dipped considerably, falling from 38.2 to 33.3, though he is a career 37.7 percent shooter from that range and can still play defense at a serviceable level.

Jefferson won an NBA title with Cavaliers in 2016.

The worst part of this trade is it could spell the end of Jefferson and Channing Frye’s Road Trippin’ podcast.

And, no, Jefferson doesn’t plan to retire yet.

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Follow Ryan Kelapire on Twitter at @RKelapire

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